‘Runescape Classic’ Is Shutting Down After 17 Years

After an impressive 17 years, RuneScape Classic will shut down this August. Developed by Jagex, the fantasy MMORPG has reached iconic status and still has an active user base.

In a note on its blog, the game developer wrote that the decision wasn’t due to lack of interest, but because new technology had made the game “easily abused” and susceptible to bots.

“It has been amazing to see such dedication amongst those of you who have kept playing RuneScape Classic over the last few years, some of you have even managed to reach max total! However, it’s not all fun and games,” the post reads. “With advancements in technology helping to further support both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, our tools are no longer compatible with Classic. This is particularly a problem with our community safety and macro detection tools. The game is now easily abused with the use of 3rd party macro tools, and botting has become an increasing issue.”

The original RuneScape (later known as RuneScape Classic) was replaced by RuneScape 2 in 2004. RuneScape 3 followed in 2013. Old School RuneScape, a separate iteration also released in 2013, will continue after Classic shuts down.

RuneScape Classic will be winding down over the next three months, before being taken offline on Monday, August 6 at 8 a.m. BST (3:00 a.m. EST).

Did you play RuneScape Classic? Let us know your thoughts on its closure in the comments below.

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